Bangkok was at the highest place on the chart of Top Ten Global Destination Cities attracting 19.41 million visitors in 2016, outranking London, Paris, Dubai, and Singapore. A Mastercard index released recently showed the Thai capital benefited the most from international travel, while further growth in visitor arrivals were in the forecast for 2017.
/// ASEAN ///
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bangkok / Photo: Tanakitt Khum-on
Visitor Volume
The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index predicted that Bangkok’s visitor arrivals would increase by 4.0 percent in the 2017 calendar year, while Singapore was forecast to move up one notch growing by 2.6 percent and outranking New York (at minus 2.4 percent). Meantime, Kuala Lumpur was likely to post a strong 7.2 percent gain in visitor arrivals for 2017, enabling it to keep its eighth place on the chart.
Kuala Lumpur / Photo: Sitthisak Namkham
From 2009 to 2016, two ASEAN cities also saw strong growth in visitor arrivals, namely: Jakarta up 18.2 percent, and Hanoi up 16.4 percent. Of all 132 destinations across the globe, Osaka was at the top with a whopping 24.0 percent growth in overnight visitor arrivals during the 8-year period.
Overall, international visitors to leading global destination cities increased in the 2016 calendar year. As for 2017, Tokyo’s visitor numbers were forecast to increase by as much as 12.2 percent, making it the strongest growth in visitors among the top ten.
National Gallery Singapore / Photo: Sitthisak Namkham
Cross-border Spending
The Mastercard index was more than just a ranking of top destination cities across the globe. Apart from international visitor volume, it also looked into tourist spending that contributed to furthering economic growth of countries. For the 2016 calendar year, Dubai was at the top with overnight visitors spending $28.50 billion, followed by New York ($17.02 billion), London ($16.09 billion), Singapore ($15.69 billion), and Bangkok ($14.08 billion), all in USD. Destination cities benefited greatly from tourism. Shopping accounted for 22.9 percent of tourist spending, local service 21.5 percent, and food and beverages 20.6 percent).
Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali, and Tokyo redefined in photo collage: today Living ASEAN chats with Pariwat Anandachina, who has infused an Agoda tourism campaign with lively, colorful imagery.
/// Indonesia, Thailand ///
Agoda.com (of Agoda Company Pte., Ltd.) is one of the largest online booking networks, its more than 100,000 hotel offerings spanning the globe. In collaboration with Singapore’s Saatchi & Saatchi agency, Agoda has created “Agoda Base Camp,” a vibrant and innovative Indonesian tourism ad campaign designed to attract foreigners and Indonesians alike. Pariwat, known for his iconic photo collage art work, was a natural choice to present the campaign to viewers worldwide.
Base Camp features three staples of Indonesian tourism– Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali – adding perennial favorite Tokyo, Japan, with pictures of buildings, houses, and people representing local culture and lifestyles from every corner of those cities. The images were cut, mixed, and laid out in Agoda’s five primary colors to illustrate each destination’s highlights and character, as shown here.
Photo // Pariwatstudio
Jakarta stands out for its mix of old and new. Here old and new architectural styles appear almost as reflections of each other, different, but fitting together in a charming way.
Photo // Pariwatstudio
Yogyakarta/Jogya stands out for its mix of old and new. Here old and new architectural styles appear almost as reflections of each other, different, but fitting together in a charming way.
Photo // Pariwatstudio
Bali is highlighted by nature itself, with its gorgeous beaches and healthy activities. This pictorial representation of the island also illustrates ghost worship, animist ceremonies presided over by shamans in colorful robes, and a native fascination with the occult.
Photo // Pariwatstudio
Tokyo shows a mix of contemporary life and technological progress with a powerful sense of cultural preservation. This collage is presented in the uniquely Japanese “manga cartoon” style, split into viewing panels as in a comic book.
Pariwat spoke with us about how this four-city promotion came to be represented in his work. “We did extensive research on the highlights and character of each city, looking for ‘what’s hot and what’s not,’ to see what would get folks hooked on going there. Scheduling was a big challenge: we only had half a month to fly everywhere and take our pictures, so had to be creative, sometimes using pictures taken by others, or hotel pictures from Agoda, and these were often hard to match and balance with what we already had.”
The Base Camp campaign will use both printed ads and key visuals in video footage taken by Agoda and enhanced with animation.
Hot and humid climate being one of the inevitabilities of life, architects across the Region aptly responded with a range of ingenious designs from the cool traditional to the energy-efficient modern. Living ASEAN presents top 10 houses well suited to the circumstances. Check them out.
For a traveler, what could be better than a nice hotel in the heart of the city? Pick a hotel with a relaxing atmosphere and good design. If your destination is Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, the Morrissey hip hotel is the one and only right choice to choose.
/// Indonesia /// Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa /// Photos: Soopakorn Srisakul
The Morrissey reception area features modern cubic architecture and a restaurant serving brunch meals.
Designed for high quality accommodations, the Morrissey features a gorgeous mix of Jakarta’s urban tropical ambience and ultramodern architecture. There is a hint of Industrial Loft design that comes with high ceilings, plenty of wall openings, and abundant natural light. Naked concrete finishes alternating with brick painted white, and dark-colored wood floors provide a welcome contrast between stylishly chic design and natural rawness.
The Morrissey interior becomes an enchanting, well-lighted place by night, thanks to beautiful lighting effects and natural textured finishes. /// The rooftop garden features a perfect escape for those seeking a little peace and quiet, in which to read or just sit back and relax.
The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to interesting attractions throughout Jakarta’s CBD. The famed Museum Nasional Indonesia is less than two kilometers away, while the fashionable shopping mall Plaza Indonesia, aka “P.I.” is roughly a kilometer or 7 minutes if you prefer going by train.
Cozy Resident’s Lounge looks out over the lap pool with panoramic views of the city skyline stretching farther than the eye can see.
If a journey back in time is for you, know that the Old Djakarta Theater, the Jalan Surabaya Antique Market, and the Taman Ismali Marzuki Cultural Center are easily accessible from the Morrissey. It’s a good idea to walk to these great attractions. It only takes about ten minutes. Having been to all of them, we had the most fun exploring the city on foot.
Besides excellent service and upscale accommodations, the Morrissey is also known for Italian cuisine as well as local and fusion foods. Drop into the Ocha & Bella restaurant to find out. Open kitchen design lets you see chefs at work preparing meals right before your eyes.
Along the way, take your time to experience the Indonesian versions of street food similar to the ready-to-eat meals ubiquitous throughout Asian. Highly recommended is Nasi goring, the Indonesian version of fried rice. Buy a set from the street vendor and have it cooked to order right on the spot. Another not-to-be-missed dish is Satay, especially Goat Satay. It smells good and tastes like heaven.
In case you have had a long day, the Morrissey offers plenty of cozy spots in which to relax and unwind. The Sky Lobby offers a vantage point to take in panoramic views of Jakarta city skyline. If fitness is for you, go to the swimming pool, or burn calories and build muscle on the treadmill. Take your pick. A full array of gym equipment is available onsite.
The Morrissey reception area is also home to a lobby café. Most outstanding is the architectural design that is strongly influenced by Le Corbusier, the icon of Modernism.
Large window frames the view of Jakarta city skyline. Simple décor belies the comfy and warm atmosphere. Natural textured finishes, no-fuss ceilings, and painted brickwork add a touch of Industrial Loft to “Double Volume” Room.
Fueled by tropical inspirations, guest rooms at the Morrissey showcase textured concrete finishes and brickwork in relaxing shades of white. Simple, clean design leaves plenty of room for wall openings. Frameless glass doors and panels allow abundant natural light. Such inspiring Modern Tropical details can be applied to many parts of your home.
The Seminar Room with an information center is at your service on the mezzanine.Workspace on the first floor of “Double Volume” Room consists of a desk-cum-dining-table, a sofa and coffee table. Furniture varies from one room to another. But every piece is representative of the Industrial Era. Chairs in this photo are the Tolix Model A designed by Xavier Pauchard in 1934.
LivingASEAN proudly presents different durian cultures unique to the ASEAN region. Perhaps it’s something you have never heard of, including five interesting ways of making eating the spiky fruit more fun than you would ever imagine.
A wall is covered with durian graffiti in Kuala Lumpur.
The majority of durians are grown in Thailand and Malaysia with other varieties available in Indonesia. Some are also grown in the Philippines, southern Vietnam and other Southeast Asia countries.
Thailand
Out of more than 200 varieties of durians in Thailand, the three most sought-after are Mon Thong, Chanee, and Kan Yao.
Mon Thong (meaning “golden pillow”) comes with a sweet taste and a firm texture. Chanee is smaller in size but less sweet, softer and creamier. And Kan Yao has mild, not-so-sharp sweetness.
The quality that most Thais look for in the fruit is its firmness. Durian aficionados can tell a good fruit apart from plain ones simply by knocking on the spiky skin and judging the sounds. Hollow sounds tend to indicate the fruit is too soft. In contrary, solid sounds indicate the fruit is a firm one.
Due to their pungent odor, the spiky fruits are not allowed in many places including aboard the BTS Skytrain and the MRT.
Malaysia
Malaysians prefer their durians to be soft and buttery. In Malaysia, the fruit is eaten within the day they are ripe and drop from the trees to the ground. It is said that the best ones are the ones that fall down in the morning.
Malaysia seems to have it all from Musang King durian puree to Musang King durian mochi to durian flavored popsicle sticks.
Durian flavored cheesecakes come in the guise of a simple cupcake appearance.
There are many products made from the fruit in different, perhaps quirky, ways that are available in Malaysia. They include durian-flavored ice creams, candies, cakes, pastes, freeze-dried snacks, and a wide variety of parfaits.
Indonesia
The keyword for getting a nice durian experience here is “Kampung”. In Malaysia and Indonesia, the word means “village.” So, when you visit a fruit stall, make sure to look for the “Kampung” sign. It means that the fruits are products of indigenous durian trees grown in the villages, and not from any genetically modified tree.
Often you will come across durians that are either too ripe or too raw. So, one useful thing to know is not to buy a fruit that had been cut open. It is a normal practice that a “Takung Duren” (durian seller) will always select the fruit, cut it open and pass on an amount of its creamy flesh for you to taste. After that it’s your turn to decide whether to take the fruit or ask for a new one.
Well, choose wisely. We hope you all have a chance to meet your fruit soul mate!
Crispy freeze-dried durian makes a perfect snack. It’s light and also full of nutrients.
This Hello-Kitty ice cream is a combination of cute and cool.
Dubbed “durian pancake” or “durian crepe,” this bite-size sweet pack has loads of fresh cream wrapped inside a thin layer of durian crepe like a little golden treasure box.
/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Sriskul /
Everything about this modern home by Andra Matin presents a perfect example of tropical residential architecture. Check this out.
Andra Matin, the homeowner and designer of AM House, greeted us with a smile in his spacious multi-purpose room dominated by a solid-wooden long table.
His tropical modern home was made of concrete, its unique stilt structures were outstanding. These elements intrigue us to hear what he had to say about the house.
The living room on the second floor is visible from the street. Patches of greenery provide camouflage for privacy
According to Matin, this state-of-the-art work took five years to finish.
“I began building this house in 2008, starting out with a cube-shaped design. As construction was underway, more details were added. By slowly and gradually building the house, I had time to consider the best option for our family.”
The pathway glides past a pond to the second floor. The entire ramp is paved with strips of timber set at half-inch intervals.A wood deck extends from the multi-purpose space.
Matin is widely known for his attention to detail. He is responsible for pioneering modern tropical design projects across Indonesia.
When it comes to designing a house to suit a hot and humid climate, he relied mostly on nature and a clever floor plan.
There are only two air-conditioning machines in the house. One is located in the basement bathroom, to control the humidity. And the other is on the top-floor bedroom.
The multi-purpose room on the second floor is easily adaptable. The design is in accordance with tropical climates.The cooking station is built into the tabletop. An oven and a nearby refrigerator are disguised by Ulin, Indonesia native timber.The staircase is protected by a screen of vertical strips that double as a handrail.
“I have always been interested in spatial relationships rather than the form per se,” Matin mentions his interest which he adopted to his works and the designing of his home.
“Good design is one that takes ‘Spatial Relationships.’ into account. It looks into all kinds of activity that will take place within, and not just the room hemmed in by four walls.
“In reality, there exists an in-between space that subtly tells one room apart from the next, be it sitting or sleeping, walking or standing. After that, we look for the form or configuration that best fits in with those spaces, the climate, and ways of living.”
The spiral staircase leads to a spacious bathroom with a walk-in closet. A shower area and a bathtub lie under a skylight.A small lodge in the backyard is Matin’s favorite hideout spot.The third-floor living space is adequately lit by natural light via the skylight, right. On one side, floor-to-ceiling windows allow soft, diffused light in. During the day, there’s no need for an artificial light.
Matin sourced materials locally. This is not only to support the locals, Matin believes local artisans know their stuff.
“Local builders have insight know-how and skills. These materials weren’t hard to find and savvy,” said Matin
Apart from architecture, Matin also has a strong passion for travel. Hence, this house is full of fun gimmicks to make walking from room to room like an exciting adventure.
The entrance is through the hill. Followed by a lounge area with a spiral staircase as a shortcut to a rooftop on one side and a tilted floor leading to a small lodge. A children’s room is also accessible through the lodge. A working space on the ground floor also has a backdoor hidden behind a bookshelf.
The endless wonder in this modern tropical home is indeed no less than Peter Pan’s Neverland.
The sloping lawn that covers the rooftop gradually descends and ends up on top of the bedroom window.
The horizontal opening in the wall allows just enough natural light inside. The design is to avoid strong tropical sunlight.
/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /
This house among the trees is part of a suburban residential development nestled in a wooded area where calming fruit orchards once grew. It is comforting to know the developers have made every effort at preserving as many trees as they possibly could. Like so, the houses are built around mature trees that have long been there. Here’s one of them.
The cube-shaped façade looks out over the front yard. Large glass windows in wood casings stretch across the entire face of the building. To let nature permeate, patches of greenery occupy every open space including the rooftop deck.
The cube-shaped façade looks out over the front yard. Large glass windows in wood casings stretch across the entire face of the building. To reconnect with nature, patches of greenery occupy every open space including the rooftop deck. Meanwhile, open concept floor plans allow abundant natural light. The positioning of windows and other features ensures minimum consumption of electricity, which translates into big savings. More than anything else, it’s about building a relationship with the natural world.
“Tanah Teduh” is the name of the housing development. It’s a reminder of the residential projects where a large number of houses of similar design are built closer together, creating a friendly neighborhood in which everybody knows everybody.
Here, all the residential units have access to common areas via both front and back doors. Well-thought out design ensures security is achievable without sacrificing privacy. Taken as a whole, the housing development is situated on 21 Rai of land (roughly 8.3 acres) that once upon a time was a thriving fruit orchard.
Exterior walls covered in coat-button vines help cool down the interior living spaces.
Inspired by the need for nature conservation, the project developer offers only 20 modern houses with a view of the lush garden landscape. The privacy of its residents takes priority over any other matter. But the beauty of the landscape is important, too. So, instead of building boundary walls that can be unpleasant to look at, the homes are kept separate from each other by green hedges and other smart architectural hacks.
It takes a team of top ten Indonesian designers to make this housing development exceptionally good. To avoid repetition, the front façade varies from one unit to the next, and each unit is a signature of an individual designer.
A relaxing multi-use room in the front part of the house. The sliding door and exterior wall are glazed using clear glass to take in the garden view and ensure there’s plenty of natural light in the house.
Oranat Pernquist is the owner of the house that we visited on this housing development. A Thai lady who has come to call Jakarta home, she welcomed our editorial team to take a look around. Overall, the home was beautiful, well-designed, and nicely decorated.
Andra Matin, the designer and project director, sure did a good job at it. He put in a small center courtyard to let nature pervade throughout the home. Natural light and correct building orientation were taken into account, resulting in well-connected, warm, and inviting interior living spaces.
Meanwhile, the external envelope showcased the charm of modern design, something akin to the works made famous by world-renowned architect Le Corbusier, but with an Asian outlook.
The dining room features a large wood table capable of seating 6 to 8. The table and chairs are made to order from Jakarta. Glass-front armoires in the backdrop are imported from Thailand.
The house has two wings. The ground floor of the first building offers a good-sized sitting room, dining area and kitchen. Glass siding fills the entire exterior wall on one side, making the center court clearly visible from within. The second floor holds a home office, while the third is a sundeck converted into a sky garden.
The kitchen is connected to the dining room. A utility table on wheels compensates for the absence of a kitchen island. The center courtyard can be seen in full view from here, thanks to glass siding that stretches across the exterior walls.
The second building also has two levels with multi-use spaces on the first floor. The second floor contains a sitting room with access to the garden. It’s decorated with a sofa in soft hues and a set of table and chairs. There is a park bench made of concrete for relaxation in the outdoors.
The perimeter wall made of perforate cement blocks not only protect from the sun’s harsh glare but also allows air circulation. Breathe block design adds modern curb appeal to the home.
The designer is passionate about Thai-modern design that’s evident in the interior decorated with simple materials. They include real wood, bare concrete walls in lighter shades and a perforate shell. Every living space is designed for specific use. It looks uncluttered and opens to let nature permeate.
Oranat said that her other half, Anders Pernquist, traveled abroad for business often and brought home beautiful objects from Italy, Taiwan, and India. She wrapped it up nicely: “Anders is responsible for purchasing,” and she for installation. No wonder home interior design is so full of life.
The master bedroom on the third floor has floor-to-ceiling windows and wood flooring in glossy finishes. Different materials serve as boundary markers among the internal spaces. The en suite bathroom showcases fine-stone terrazzo flooring with a dressing room and walk-in closet.
“Anders likes Asian style handicrafts. Works produced in this region are beautifully crafted. We have glass-front armoires with superb wood carving imported from Thailand, area rugs from India, and other pieces that are made to order in Jakarta,” said Oranat.
“Our collections come from various parts of the world. They remind us of our long journey.”
The bedroom overlooking the courtyard has a wooden bed with area rugs and bed cover in complementing hues from India. A birch veneer IKEA chair adds Scandinavian vies to the room.Wall openings keep the interior well-lit by natural daylight. The architect put this opening in the kitchen on purpose to take in the views.
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